Metal Mouth Message Board

UK
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:11 am Post subject: Can anyone help me please - I am totally confused

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Hi everyone, need some help please.

I am 28 in live the UK - I had a brace on for 3 years. It came off last August and my teeth were fine untill they moved even with retainer on constantly. The brace went back on in October - just on top set. I went to the ortho yesterday and he has said that my jaw is now tilted. The top set off teeth on the right hand side do not meet the bottom and he said I might have to have jaw surgery. I am confused because my jaw was fine last year !!! Can anyone shed some light on this. Is this possible ? Has the brace done this to me ?
Also, what does jaw surgery mean - I dont think I will be doing that !!!

Thanks for your help

I have had a significant change in the way my jaw comes together due to jaw joint degeneration. This occurred rather quickly -less than 2 years, I went from having a good bite, to only my wisdom teeth coming together and an open bite (meaning my other teeth don't touch). You could have changes in the joint, caused by condylar resorption. This is the fancy name for what I have. It means the "ball" part of the "ball and socket" joint is degenerating, changing the alignment of my jaw.

I am scheduled for jaw surgery - upper jaw being moved up further to allow teeth to come together. The degeneration may have been caused by a new appliance I received, a night guard, which was supposed to protect my teeth from cracking when I clench at night. The clenching may have caused the stress to the joint, which caused the degeneration maybe. They really can't say. If your jaw has changed, ask your dentist if there is a joint problem or what they think happened. Some problems can be solved with orthodontia, others need surgery. or both.

I agree a second opinion is very helpful. My joint problem was diagnosed by my dentist based on a pan x-ray, which showed the bone loss.

Good luck in looking for a solution for your bite.

Thank you all so much for your help
I will keep you informed about how I get on.

Hi guys. Just wanted to update you. I have had my brace adjustment for a week now and I think I can see the teeth are moving into a much better bite (or maybe its in my head as thats what I want to happen). I have decided to get a second opinion anyway and regardless, I am definately not going to have the jaw surgery. It just seems too drastic for me.
Thanks for your repsonses.

Maybe veneers can sort my problem - who knows !!! I will have to wait and see what happens (and save up).

[quote="ssspidermom"]I have had a significant change in the way my jaw comes together due to jaw joint degeneration. This occurred rather quickly -less than 2 years, I went from having a good bite, to only my wisdom teeth coming together and an open bite (meaning my other teeth don't touch). You could have changes in the joint, caused by condylar resorption. This is the fancy name for what I have. It means the "ball" part of the "ball and socket" joint is degenerating, changing the alignment of my jaw.

I am scheduled for jaw surgery - upper jaw being moved up further to allow teeth to come together. The degeneration may have been caused by a new appliance I received, a night guard, which was supposed to protect my teeth from cracking when I clench at night. The clenching may have caused the stress to the joint, which caused the degeneration maybe. They really can't say. If your jaw has changed, ask your dentist if there is a joint problem or what they think happened. Some problems can be solved with orthodontia, others need surgery. or both.

I agree a second opinion is very helpful. My joint problem was diagnosed by my dentist based on a pan x-ray, which showed the bone loss.

Good luck in looking for a solution for your bite.[/quote]


Hi Ssspidermom

I have been suffering with ICR as well for about the last 3 years, and also have TMJ issues, bruxism and the whole shebang. My OS decided to wait until the resorption "stopped", and then I had braces put on which I have had for over a year now. I am booked in for upper and lower jaw surgery in 2 months' time, but I am very anxious and concerned about the whole thing, esp whether the TMJ will be "stable" after the surgery and the risk of relapse - and the fact that the resorption is "idiopathic" and they don't know what is causing it!

My question is - what sort of surgery/ies did you have and has the outcome been good and stable?

Thanks
B